And other things I never thought
I would say until I became a mother!
Sharing the adventures I have as a single mom and glorifying God through it all.

Thursday, October 18, 2012

She's That Kind of Friend

She’s that kind of
friend that you know, without ever doubting, that is a direct gift from God.

The kind of friend who
will sit with you and pray with you while you both cry.

The kind of friend who
is your kindred spirit.

She’s the kind of
friend where you think of her every.single.day but don’t get to spend much time
with.

Because both of you are
fighting the same battles:

Single mom

Children

Working

College

Life

*******

But she’s that friend
you can call, day or night, who will always understand.

*******

Today is that friend’s
birthday.

I wish I could get her:

A deed to a huge home

A maid to take care of
it for her.

A personal caretaker

To make sure she takes care
of herself

And who pampers her.

I want to give her:

More hours in the day.

Strength to get through
her day.

But all I can give her
is my friendship.

And many prayers.

******

I’ll back track to the
beginning.

In April, of 2010, I was
having an extremely difficult time with life.

Not going to get into
it, but I was pretty close to either giving up or running away.

It was bad.

One evening, I really
needed out of the house.I took the
children to a park.One where I knew I
could sit and read my Bible while the kids played.

Now I know that God wanted me at that park,
that night, at that time.

I was sitting on a
bench, crying, and reading Philippians.I looked over and saw a beautiful woman pushing her child on the
swings.It was as though a magnet pulled
me to her.My face was still tear
stained and I wasn’t exactly in the right place emotionally to meet
people.I started to turn away and I
heard God say “She has something for you. And you have something for her.”

Little did I know how
big that would one day become.

I still think I have
only tasted a glimpse of how deep that statement will someday mean.

I walked over to the
swings and sat down.I started with
small talk, which was most likely ridiculous.

She asked me about my
faith and my beliefs.She told me bits
and pieces of her story and how she had become a Christian a few years back and
how much she was enjoying growing in her faith. We had so many of the same thoughts and
convictions. She asked me where I was
reading in Scripture and I started to share with her what I had read, and why
it meant so much.I opened up and shared
that things were really, really tough.

We exchanged numbers
and that night she came over and we spent time visiting. We both agreed this
was a bit odd, for her to just come over that night, but it seemed that God really
was pushing us to form a deep friendship. Soon it became our habit to meet once a week
and pray together.I miss those nights
and those moments.She became an anchor
in my life and carried me through some really tough times.

Unfortunately life is
rough.And some hard, difficult and
painful things have come into her life.I haven’t been the anchor that she was for me.I haven’t been there physically, I don’t make
as many phone calls I should make, and I don’t do enough for her. But I hope she knows that I am there, anytime
at any moment and would drop and run to her.I can give her compassion and understanding when others may not fully
understand.I can give her my friendship
and my love.

This friend of mine is
amazing.I’m not going to disclose her
pain and her trials. Trust that she has triumphed over so much. And she always
gives the glory to God.Please, please
pray for this strong woman.God knows
her by name; He knows her struggles, disappointments and fears.He knows her needs.Please
pray that she can remain physically and emotionally strong; to work, and go to
school, and take care of her incredible children. Being a single mom is absolutely physically
and emotionally draining, in ways that others will never understand.

It’s her birthday
today.I want to hand her all her hopes
and dreams on a silver platter.I want
to wipe away all the tears she has shed and the tears of her children.

But I’m not the one who can do that.

Instead, I’m giving her
prayers.And asking you to give her
yours as well.

Happy Birthday, Nina!I love you with all my heart. You continue to
amaze me with your courage and your strength.We both had no idea that spring evening all those years ago what God
meant when He told me

“She has something for you. And you have something for
her.”

And I think that we are just
starting to see God’s plan for our friendship!